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When our corporate client scheduled its annual conference in New Orleans, a thousand participants headed to a hotel in the business district for the daytime meeting. But when the sun met the horizon, guests boarded SUVs, minibuses, and motorcoaches to head to the Elms Mansion on St. Charles Avenue. It was a short distance to travel, but it brought them to another world – a journey through time to the Gilded Age where everything sparkled and the entertainment rivaled even the best Mardi Gras celebration.
Famous for its streetcar, St. Charles Avenue is recognized for its Queen Anne mansions and lush greenery. Nestled in this charming and elegant environment, simply dripping with history, the Elms Mansion offered the perfect setting for a party of this magnitude with plenty of space – 4,000 square feet to be precise. In our typical fashion, we took advantage of every inch and then some. With lighting as our muse, we decked it out in a thoroughly golden glow.
From this special venue in a city known for its ability to throw an outstanding party, WM Events turned up the volume to produce this ‘gilded in the garden’ soirée.
Elevating the Exterior
As guests arrived at the mansion, they entered the property through an 8-ft. starburst circle, setting the tone for the spectacular setting that awaited them. Passing through the circle, attendees found themselves in a massive tent with a transparent ceiling. Strung with tiny lights, it mimicked the night sky, while below luxurious furniture groupings in golden velvet tones brought a surprising high-end vibe to the outdoor setting. To this, we added nostalgic touches like chandeliers, a double-sided 12-ft. Vegas gold feather crescent lit with uplights, fringe drapery, an oversized golden leaf installation, and more opulent touches like luscious floral installations to enhance the atmosphere.
And that was just the tent.
As guests continued toward the house, they crossed an open space with existing stone pavers topped by similarly welcoming furniture arrangements and décor. In the permanent pagoda they might have spotted a feathered dancer in a champagne coupe, while a glance at the mansion’s upper windows would have offered a glimpse of dancer silhouettes in the window. It was all part of the glam, and to make sure it sparkled, we strung market lights across the entire spacious area.
Next-Level Décor
There was even more to experience inside the Victorian mansion. Within the splendor of the already ornate rooms, we added dozens of tables draped with linens in shades of blue and paired with gold patterns. Elegant centerpieces and multiple golden votives made the most of the décor with its elaborate boiserie, crystal chandeliers, and stained-glass windows.
To set the stage for the evening’s performances, we enhanced the architecture with colorful lighting we changed throughout the night. Other simple additions to the already striking venue like musical instruments and styling of the existing furniture added on-theme elements to the space, making it truly a one-night-only opportunity.
Raising the Bar
If food and beverage can make or break any event, we’d say that is even more the case in New Orleans, where culinary traditions and libations are taken seriously. We delivered in the VIP reception with oyster shooters, ricotta stuffed dates wrapped with prosciutto, lamb chop lollipops, and vegetarian crostini.
At the main event, we got the night started with passed hors d’oeuvres selected to highlight the best of the Big Easy like Natchez meat pies, crab cakes with remoulade, devilish deviled eggs, and black bean cakes with coriander cream sauce. But we were just getting started because the main banquet was a deconstructed buffet that allowed guests to customize their repast. Highlights included charcuterie, herb-crusted beef tenderloin, salmon with greens and gorgonzola, a macaroni and cheese bar with toppings like applewood smoked bacon and truffle oil, and shrimp with stoneground grits. Before the evening ended, we broke out the beignets and macaroons. How could we not?
Specialty cocktails provided a modern take on the pre-Prohibition era with French 75s, old fashions, and espresso martinis, while a premium bar allowed guests to order their favorite spirits. Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet, sparkling wine, and craft beers catered to those with a taste for something less energetic.
Scaling Up the Entertainment
We’ve already mentioned the shadow dancers in the second-story windows and the champagne coupe performer, and the light-filled night vibrated with a variety of additional extraordinary entertainers and installations. A golden angel wings photo backdrop with a vintage photo booth looked antique but allowed for digital sharing in addition to on-site printing. To heighten the authenticity factor, the photos featured a selection of filters – vintage, sepia, and black & white.
Roaming and pop-up cabaret performers like contortionists, hand-balancers, lollipop acrobats, and fire eaters caused a stir wherever they went. Throughout the evening, guests encountered tarot readers, a typewriter poet, and a magician – all telling tales of the past, present, and future.
In the parlor, a six-piece jazz band offered tunes that meandered through the ages in chronological order. Outside, DJ King Lonz performed his hybrid mix of spinning and horns. Earlier in the evening, the VIP reception had offered a celebration of brass to get the party started on the right note.
From the moment the guests entered through the golden circle, this party transported them to a long-ago era when society had its challenges, but knowing how to throw a great party wasn’t one of them.
Want to see the party in action? Check out our video here.
